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Would you know if your real estate investor, stockbroker, or investment money manager engaged in investment fraud or securities fraud through the sale of proprietary investment products?

What if they made false promises, or provided you with misleading or fraudulent investment or financial planning advice to further their own financial interests rather than to achieve your investment objectives?

Most people would have no idea that such mismanagement was being committed by their trusted real estate or stockbroker. We lead busy lives and we trust our financial planners to serve our best interests. After all, that is the reason why we hire such professionals in the first place. But greed and corrupt practices can get in the way, causing you to lose potentially large sums of money. When this occurs, it is considered a form of professional negligence or malpractice and is prohibited by federal and state laws. If you believe you have been affected by real estate or stockbroker fraud or negligence, you should contact a New Orleans real estate negligence lawyer or New Orleans securities fraud lawyer today.

REAL ESTATE FRAUD

Real estate investment fraud may occur due to fraudulent appraisals, negligent misrepresentations, fraudulent misrepresentations, breach of contract, seller fraud, or developer fraud. Additionally, other real estate fraud may occur through the sale of condos, houses, vacation homes, commercial properties, or other buildings sold with significant undisclosed defects or sold as a result of a significant misrepresentation regarding the property. For example, there may be a fraudulent misrepresentation regarding the actual value or condition of some piece of investment property, which induces you to purchase the property. Even if you have tried your best to do your due diligence, you may be misled by the mortgage company, escrow agent, title company, or real estate agent. Many of these people and entities have a personal interest in seeing you complete the sale, as they may be agents of the fraudulent seller or a party that will collect a commission on the sale, should it go through. In these situations, it is particularly important that you have a representative who will evaluate your case, fight on your behalf and, if necessary, file suit against those who committed or perpetuated the fraud.

An experienced New Orleans or Southeastern Louisiana real estate fraud lawyer can advise you on whether you have a claim for real estate fraud or your chances of pursuing a successful failure to disclose lawsuit based on undisclosed defects or misrepresentations regarding the property you purchased. Contact one of the New Orleans real estate fraud attorneys above for a free initial consultation.

SECURITIES FRAUD

Over the past few years, we, as a society, have become increasingly cognizant of financial and securities fraud going on across the country. Perhaps the Enron scandal triggered our collective knowledge of financial wrongdoing, but more recent misconduct such as Bernie Madoff's Ponzi schemes, the mortgage lending crisis, and other corrupt practices on Wall Street have left a lasting impression on Main Street Americans.
If you believe you have been the victim of securities fraud, you may have lost a large sum of money and be worried about your financial future. Many such cases initially go through securities arbitration before National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) Dispute Resolution, Inc. or the New York Stock Exchange, now known as Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Dispute Resolution, Inc. If this fails, your case may actually go to trial. A New Orleans securities fraud attorney can competently guide you through arbitration or pursue litigation on your behalf to recover the money you have lost due to broker fraud.

If you or a loved one has lost a significant amount of money and you believe that wrongdoing or corrupt practices were involved, you may have a claim for securities and investment fraud. Contact a qualified New Orleans securities arbitration lawyer or New Orleans investment fraud lawyer to determine if you have a claim.

What should you do before you invest?

Take time to educate yourself about the broker with whom you intend to entrust your money. Before you invest, learn if your broker (or the brokerage firm with whom they are associated) has been the subject of stockbroker fraud claims, disciplinary actions, or regulatory action for securities fraud, investment fraud, or violation of the federal securities laws. Find out if they have been or are currently the subject of customer initiated, investment related stockbroker fraud complaints or securities arbitration proceedings. Check with the NASD Dispute Regulation, Inc., or the New York Stock Exchange, now FINRA, to inquire if they have ever brought an action against your broker for the violation of any regulations, guidelines, or rules.

Areas of Stockbroker Malpractice

Stockbroker malpractice can occur in a variety of different ways. Neglect, abuse, greed, and fraud may all play a role in cases of stockbroker malpractice, creating a breach of fiduciary duty between your broker and you, the client. Some of the most common forms include:

1. Making recommendations that are unsuitable for you or your investment strategies.
2. Overreaching, deceit, or dishonesty regarding an account the broker managed for you.
3. Executive commissions charged or earned.
4. Churning of your account through frequent sales and purchases.
5. Failure to execute trades when directed to do so.
6. Fraud or theft of funds.
7. Variable Annuities, Class A preferred trades, or Sub-prime debts in an IRA or 401K.

If you believe you have been affected by one or more of these corrupt practices, consult an experienced New Orleans malpractice attorney today to begin recouping your losses.

Stock Fraud Upon the Elderly

Unfortunately, unscrupulous stock brokers often have no boundaries, even when it comes to elderly Americans planning for their retirement. After working and saving all our lives, we trust that the "fiduciary" relationship we have with our broker will be treated as one of special confidence and loyalty. We hope that the broker not only has expertise of investment strategy, but also that he or she can wisely and conservatively invest our life-savings. While this may often be the case, dishonest brokers sometimes engage in stockbroker fraud or investment fraud and make false promises concerning your anticipated returns or income, simply to obtain your investment business.

Types of investments that may be subject to fraud include:

Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs);

401k plans;

Variable annuities of equity index annuities. These are especially dangerous for older investors and can be completely inappropriate and unsuitable investments for senior citizens.

Injured investors have options and should contact a New Orleans securities arbitration or investment fraud lawyer for a consultation.

If you have suffered damages as a result of inappropriate or unsuitable investment advice, you may be able to sue your stockbroker to recover these investment losses in NASD Securities Arbitration.

The State Bar of Louisiana does not offer a Board Certification in stock broker investment fraud, securities arbitration, or investment fraud litigation. Many lawyers hold themselves out as "Investment Fraud Lawyers" or "Securities Arbitration Lawyers," even when they have very little or no experience in this area of the law. Before you hire a lawyer professing to be a securities arbitration lawyer or investment fraud lawyer, ask that person exactly how many stockbroker fraud, securities fraud, or investment fraud cases they have handled. To be certain you are receiving quality services from a lawyer experienced in these areas, contact one of the New Orleans malpractice attorneys listed above.

Securities clients have suffered investment losses due to the negligence, incompetence, fraud, and dishonesty of stockbrokers and brokerage firms alike. If you feel that you have lost money as a result of stockbroker or brokerage firm misconduct and you live in the Greater New Orleans area, contact a lawyer listed on this page for a free initial consultation.

Helpful Information for New Orleans and Southeastern Louisiana Residents:

Regarding New Orleans, Louisiana Real Estate Fraud Cases:

To report fraud within the State of Louisiana, you should contact the Louisiana Office of the Attorney General at:

Additionally, the State of Louisiana may investigate potential securities violations. The Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions is the body responsible for such investigations, and may be reached at:

Rest assured that a New Orleans area securities fraud attorney will be familiar with both federal and state securities laws and will have the expertise necessary to aggressively pursue your claim and get you the financial recovery you deserve.

Rest assured that a New Orleans area securities fraud attorney will be familiar with both federal and state securities laws and will have the expertise necessary to aggressively pursue your claim and get you the financial recovery you deserve.